Unit 4 Anatomy of a Cell Vocab

These flashcards cover key vocabulary related to the anatomy of a cell, including definitions for various cellular components and processes.

Function

The special, normal, or proper activity of an organ or part.

Structure

The arrangement of parts in an organism.

Cell Membrane

A phospholipid layer that covers a cell's surface and acts as a barrier between the inside of a cell and the cell's environment.

Organelles

One of the small bodies in a cell's cytoplasm that are specialized to perform a specific function.

Nucleus

In a eukaryotic cell, a membrane-bound organelle that contains the cell's DNA and that has a role in processes such as growth, metabolism, and reproduction.

Prokaryotic

A single-celled organism that does not have a nucleus or membrane-bound organelles; examples are archaea and bacteria.

Eukaryotic

An organism made up of cells that have a nucleus enclosed by a membrane; examples include protists, animals, plants, and fungi.

Cell

The smallest unit that can perform all life processes; they are covered by a membrane and have DNA and cytoplasm.

Cell Wall

A rigid structure that surrounds the cell membrane and provides support to the cell.

Ribosome

A cell organelle composed of RNA and protein; the site of protein synthesis.

Endoplasmic Reticulum

System of membranes that is found in a cell's cytoplasm and that assists in the production, processing, and transport of proteins and in the production of lipids.

Golgi Complex

Cell organelle that helps make and package materials to be transported out of the cell.

Lysosome

Cell organelle that contains digestive enzymes.

Chloroplast

Organelles in plant and algae cells in which photosynthesis takes place.

Mitochondria

In eukaryotic cells, the cell organelle that is surrounded by two membranes and that is the site of cellular respiration.

Cellular Respiration

The process of obtaining energy from the breaking of chemical bonds in nutrients.

Chromosome

A single, highly organized and structured piece of DNA.

Cytoplasm

The jellylike material inside the outer membrane of a cell that holds the nucleus, organelles, and other components of the cell.

Glucose

A sugar composed of six carbon atoms that is the preferred energy source for most cells, produced by photosynthesis.

Homeostasis

The tendency of an organism or cell to maintain a balanced state to maintain health and function.

Photosynthesis

A chemical reaction during which plants convert radiant energy from the sun to chemical energy.

Vacuole

The organelle that stores water and food in both plant and animal cells.